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Timothy C. Stamey

Publications and source records attributed to Timothy C. Stamey.

14 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2011

2010 update—Streamflow characteristics at selected sites in southwestern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and northwestern Florida, near Lake Seminole

Since the first edition of this report was published in 1996, continuous streamflow data have been recorded in the tri-state area of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, near Lake Seminole. Several notable floods and severe droughts have occurred during this additional 16-year period that have sparked the need to include these additional recorded data into a comprehensive report for use by local, State, and Federal agencies. Flow durations, low-flow, and mean-flow analyses of daily mean discharges were compiled and analyzed for 12 streamflow stations during three selected periods that included pre-Lake Seminole (1929-53), post-Lake Seminole and pre-irrigation (1958-70), and post-Lake Seminole and post-irrigation (1976-2010), as well as for specified partial periods. The analyses yielded information on the variability of inflow to and outflow from Lake Seminole and the variability of flows in area streams. Streamflow characteristics for Ichawaynochaway Creek at Milford, Georgia, and Chipola River near Altha, Florida, varied similarly from 1944-53 to 1958-70, with mean annual flows decreasing by about 8 and 6 percent, respectively. This decreasing trend continued from 1958-70 to 1976-2010 by about 10 and 2 percent, respectively. The mean annual streamflow for Spring Creek near Iron City, Georgia, however, remained basically unchanged from 1944-53 to 1958-70, as well as from 1958-70 to 1976-2010. Streamflow characteristics for inflow to and outflow from Lake Seminole varied similarly during 1929-53, 1958-70, and 1976-2010. Mean 30-day low flows for inflow and outflow at Lake Seminole increased by about 24 to 11 percent, respectively, from 1929-53 to 1958-70; the values for 1976-2010 returned to near, but less than, the low-flow values of 1929-53.

Georgia;Alabama;Florida↗
USGS2006

Flood-tracking chart for the Chattahoochee River Basin in Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)—in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies—operates a flood monitoring system in the Chattahoochee River Basin. This system is a network of 35 automated river stage stations that transmit stage data through satellite telemetry to the USGS Georgia Water Science Center in Atlanta. During floods, the public and emergency response agencies use this information to make decisions about road closures, evacuations, and other public safety issues. The emergency phone number for your area is listed under “Local flood emergency phone numbers.”

Georgia↗
USGS2002

Data on surface-water, streambed-interstitial water, and bed-sediment quality for selected locations in the small arms impact area of central Fort Gordon, Georgia, September 4-6, 2001

In September 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Environmental and Natural Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon (U.S. Department of the Army), conducted a chemical assessment of surface water, streambed-interstitial water, and bed sediments within the small arms impact area of Fort Gordon Military Installation. The study was conducted in support of the development of an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) for Fort Gordon, Georgia. An effective INRMP ensures that natural resources conservation measures and U.S. Army activities on the military base are integrated and consistent with Federal requirements to manage military installations on an ecosystem basis. Filtered water samples were collected from five sites along South Prong Creek and three sites along Marcum Branch Creek for chemical analyses of major ions, nutrients, and selected trace elements. On-site measurements of pH, temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen were made at the eight sites. Filtered water collected showed varying concentrations in both surface- and streambed-interstitial water. Bed-sediment samples collected from South Prong Creek contain elevated levels of arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel, selenium, vanadium, and total organic carbon relative to previous concentrations (McConnell and others, 2000). Bed-sediment samples collected from Marcum Branch Creek contain elevated levels of beryllium, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, selenium, and total organic carbon relative to previous concentrations (McConnell and others, 2000).

Georgia↗
USGS2001

Preliminary assessment of streamflow characteristics for selected streams at Fort Gordon, Georgia, 1999-2000

In 1999, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon, began collection of periodic streamflow data at four streams on the military base to assess and estimate streamflow characteristics of those streams for potential water-supply sources. Simple and reliable methods of determining streamflow characteristics of selected streams on the military base are needed for the initial implementation of the Fort Gordon Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan. Long-term streamflow data from the Butler Creek streamflow gaging station were used along with several concurrent discharge measurements made at three selected partial-record streamflow stations on Fort Gordon to determine selected low-flow streamflow characteristics. Streamflow data were collected and analyzed using standard U.S. Geological Survey methods and computer application programs to verify the use of simple drainage area to discharge ratios, which were used to estimate the low-flow characteristics for the selected streams. Low-flow data computed based on daily mean streamflow include: mean discharges for consecutive 1-, 3-, 7-, 14-, and 30-day period and low-flow estimates of 7Q10, 30Q2, 60Q2, and 90Q2 recurrence intervals. Flow-duration data also were determined for the 10-, 30-, 50-, 70-, and 90-percent exceedence flows. Preliminary analyses of the streamflow indicate that the flow duration and selected low-flow statistics for the selected streams averages from about 0.15 to 2.27 cubic feet per square mile. The long-term gaged streamflow data indicate that the streamflow conditions for the period analyzed were in the 50- to 90-percent flow range, or in which streamflow would be exceeded about 50 to 90 percent of the time.

Georgia↗
USGS2001

Ecological characterization of streams, and fish-tissue analysis for mercury and lead at selected locations, Fort Gordon, Georgia, June 1999 to May 2000

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Environmental and Natural Resources Management Office of the U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon, Ga., documented the ecological condition of selected water-bodies on the Fort Gordon military installation from June 1999 to May 2000. This study includes stream-habitat assessments, aquatic invertebrate and fish-community surveys in selected stream reaches, and analyses of mercury and lead concentrations in largemouth bass (Micropterous salmoides) muscle tissue from three impoundments. Assessment surveys indicate lower habitat value scores in some streams draining the more developed areas on Fort Gordon. A small tributary to Butler Creek--which drains parking lots associated with military motor pools and other impervious surfaces--is characterized by moderate levels of bank erosion and excess sediment in the stream channel compared to reference sites. Four other stream reaches are more similar to reference streams in respect to habitat conditions. Invertebrate communities in streams draining these urbanized watersheds are inhabited by 13 to 16 taxa per reach; whereas, 23 and 33 taxa were collected from the two reference stream reaches. Measures of invertebrate abundance, taxa richness, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Tricoptera Index are lower in streams draining urbanized watersheds. Measures of community similarity also indicate differences between streams draining urbanized areas and reference streams. Streams draining developed areas on Fort Gordon are inhabited by 3 to 10 fish species and included more species regarded as tolerant of degraded water-quality conditions; whereas, the two reference stream reaches support 4 and 10 species, respectively, including one species considered intolerant of degraded water-quality conditions. Mercury was detected in all largemouth bass collected from three impoundments on Fort Gordon. Wet-weight mercury concentrations in fish tissue analyzed from all sites range from 0.08 micrograms per gram to 1.33 micrograms per gram. Median mercury concentrations in fish tissue are 0.83 micrograms per gram at Soil Erosion Lake, 0.72 micrograms per gram at Lower Leitner Lake, and 0.22 micrograms per gram at Gordon Lake. Median mercury concentrations in fish tissue analyzed from Soil Erosion Lake and Lower Leitner Lake are more than two times higher than U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendation of 0.3 micrograms per gram for fish consumption. Lead concentrations are below the minimum reporting limit for all specimens analyzed from reservoirs sampled at Fort Gordon.

Georgia↗
USGS2000

Droughts in Georgia

Droughts do not have the immediate effects of floods, but sustained droughts can cause economic stress throughout the State. The word 'drought' has various meanings, depending on a person's perspective. To a farmer, a drought is a period of moisture deficiency that affects the crops under cultivation - even two weeks without rainfall can stress many crops during certain periods of the growing cycle. To a meteorologist, a drought is a prolonged period when precipitation is less than normal. To a water manager, a drought is a deficiency in water supply that affects water availability and water quality. To a hydrologist, a drought is an extended period of decreased precipitation and streamflow. Droughts in Georgia have severely affected municipal and industrial water supplies, agriculture, stream water quality, recreation at major reservoirs, hydropower generation, navigation, and forest resources. In Georgia, droughts have been documented at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow gaging stations since the 1890's. From 1910 to 1940, about 20 streamflow gaging stations were in operation. Since the early 1950's through the late 1980's, about 100 streamflow gaging stations were in operation. Currently (2000), the USGS streamflow gaging network consists of more than 135 continuous-recording gages. Ground-water levels are currently monitored at 165 wells equipped with continuous recorders.

Georgia↗
USGS1998

Methods for estimating tributary streamflow in the Chattahoochee River basin between Buford Dam and Franklin, Georgia

Simple and reliable methods for estimating hourly streamflow are needed for the calibration and verification of a Chattahoochee River basin model between Buford Dam and Franklin, Ga. The river basin model is being developed by Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division, as part of their Chattahoochee River Modeling Project. Concurrent streamflow data collected at 19 continuous-record, and 31 partial-record streamflow stations, were used in ordinary least-squares linear regression analyses to define estimating equations, and in verifying drainage-area prorations. The resulting regression or drainage-area ratio estimating equations were used to compute hourly streamflow at the partial-record stations. The coefficients of determination (r-squared values) for the regression estimating equations ranged from 0.90 to 0.99. Observed and estimated hourly and daily streamflow data were computed for May 1, 1995, through October 31, 1995. Comparisons of observed and estimated daily streamflow data for 12 continuous-record tributary stations, that had available streamflow data for all or part of the period from May 1, 1995, to October 31, 1995, indicate that the mean error of estimate for the daily streamflow was about 25 percent.

Georgia↗
USGS1997

Flooding in southeastern United States from tropical storm Alberto, July 1994

In July 1994, parts of central and southwestern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the western panhandle of Florida were devastated by floods resulting from rainfall produced by Tropical Storm Alberto. Entire communities were inundated by flood waters as numerous streams reached peak stages and discharges far greater than previous floods in the Flint, Ocmulgee, and Choctawhatchee River basins. The flooding resulted in 33 deaths in towns and small communities along or near the overflowing streams. President Clinton declared 78 counties as Federal disaster areas: 55 in Georgia, 10 in Alabama, and 13 in Florida. The Flint River and Ocmulgee River basins in Georgia experienced floods that exceeded the 100-year recurrence interval discharge along almost their entire lengths. Travel was disrupted as railroad and highway bridges and culverts were overtopped an, in many cases, washed out. Total flood damages to public and private property were estimated at nearly $1 billion dollars. The destruction caused by this storm serves to emphasize the high cost imposed upon life and property by flood disasters; and thus, highlight the importance of preparing for, monitoring, and documenting such occurrences.

Southeastern United States↗
USGS1996

Summary of data-collection activities and effects of flooding from tropical storm Alberto in parts of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, July 1994

Parts of central and southwestern Georgia, southeastern Alabama, and the western panhandle of Florida were devastated by floods resulting from rainfall produced by Tropical Storm Alberto in July 1994. As tributary floodwaters combined and moved downstream in the Flint, Ocmulgee, and Choctawhatchee Rivers, peak discharges exceeded the 100-year flood discharges along most stream reaches. Along the Flint River, the 100-year flood stage was exceeded at Montezuma by 3.7 ft; at Albany, by 5.1 ft; at Newton, by 3.9 ft; and at Bainbridge by 2.2 ft. Along the Ocmulgee River, the 100-year flood was exceeded at Juliette, by 5.4 ft; at Macon, by 2.2 ft; and at Hawkinsville by 3.9 ft. Peak discharges exceeded the 100-year flood discharges along the Choctawhatchee River from Newton, Ala., to Bruce, Fla. Discharge measurements were made at many gaging stations throughout the area of flooding. Streamflow velocities are obtained during the process of making the discharge measurement. Velocity data are given for selected gaging stations on two streams in Georgia. Scour around pier and abutment foundations caused settling or washout at most bridge failures. Scour mechanisms at these bridges include local scour, contraction scour, and scour plus bank instability of the general stream reach where the bridge is located. Eighteen feet of predominantly contraction scour was measured during the flood at the U.S. Highway 82 crossing of Flint River at Albany, Ga.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia↗
USGS1995

Flooding in southeastern United States from tropical storm Alberto, July 1994

In July 1994, parts of Georgia, Alabama and Florida were devastated by floods resulting from rainfall produced by Tropical Storm Alberto. The flooding resulted in 33 human deaths in towns and small communities or near swollen streams. Total damages to public and private property were estimated at nearly $1 billion dollars. This article highlights severe stream flooding resulting from Alberto and describes U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) efforts to document this event and provide information to those who need it.

Conference Paper↗